Interpretation of Fortress 90 (The Universe)
I seek refuge in God from the cursed Satan
In the Name of God, the All-Compassionate, the All-Merciful
1. “I do not swear by this homeland (the universe),”
2. “And you yourself are a resident of this homeland”
3. “Nor (do I swear) by the begetter and what he begets:”
4. “We have created the human in a womb.”
5. “Does he think that none has power over him?”
6. “I have wasted great wealth: he boasts.”
7. “Does he think that none observes him?!”
8. “Have We not made two eyes for him,”
9. “A tongue and two lips,”
10. “And granted him the two heights (two breasts)?”
11. “So, would he not break into the obstacle?.”
12. “What enables you to perceive what the obstacle is?”
13. “It is freeing of a neck,”
14. “Or feeding, on a day of privation”
15. “ An orphan with claims of relationship,”
16. “Or an indigent wretch cleaving to the dust (out of misery).”
17. “Then he becomes one of those who believe and exhorts others to fortitude and mercy.”
18. “Such are the people of goodness and prosperity”
19. “But those that deny Our Signs are the people of wretchedness”
20. “The Fire will close over them”
§§§§§
In this noble Fortress, the Almighty Allah wants to clarify that good works are the way that leads to belief. He wants to tell us that belief is the means by which we are assisted in acquiring virtuous moralities and high humanist manners, while disbelief and shunning are the reasons for lowness and degeneration, and lead to a descent into gulfs of misfortune and error.
At the onset of this Fortress, the Almighty mentioned a group of Verses that indicate the greatness of the universe and its accurate creation, because appreciating the universe and observing its strict creation inspire us to glorify its Creator and Former. This glorification of the Grand Creator makes us listen to His Speech and follow His Guidance and supreme Revelation.
Therefore, the Almighty says:
Verse no. 1
1. “I do not swear by this homeland (the universe),”
A “homeland” is a residence or dwelling, so the homeland of every person is the place where they dwell. In accordance with the Perfection of God – which covers everything in this universe and every creature, whether on earth or in heaven – if we take a more intense, careful and comprehensive look, we shall see that the entire universe is actually a single homeland that forms a residence for these creatures. Each type has their own dwelling within it, and each group among them has their own abode therein. For example, the surface of the land is the abode of humanity, while its interior is for ants and insects. The seas are homes for fish, while the endless and vast space above is the homeland of the swimming stars.
Accordingly, the whole universe is a single homeland. If we observe it thoroughly, we will revere and exalt our Creator and realize His Majesty.
In this Verse, the Almighty is making a comparison to further acquaint us with His Grandeur, saying: “I do not swear”, which is a statement addressing humanity. Whatever of the world’s greatness you see, know that your Creator is greater, and there is no limit or end to His Might.
The Almighty addresses you by saying: “Although this great universe amazes the mind, I still do not swear by it, for the thing by which we swear must be great. Think of this entire universe, and the management of its affairs, and the fulfillment of everything that happens within it, and even how it was brought into existence in perfect creation. All of this is so easy and simple for Me, and it is not worth comparing it with My Might and Majesty.” Having given us the first Verse which helps us to recognize this universe and appreciate our Creator, the Almighty tells us that He was not speaking about something that we cannot see. He is talking about what is before our eyes, which everybody can view. God says:
Verse no. 2
2. “And you yourself are a resident of this homeland (world).”
That is: you, human, are dwelling and living in this homeland. You see the signs it contains and witness the creatures around you, so – if only you think – you can recognize your Creator Who has created this world and made it a homeland for these creatures.
To draw our attention to the system by which creatures multiply in this homeland (or world), the Almighty says:
Verse no. 3
3. “Nor (do I swear) by the begetter and what he begets:”
The Almighty God did not bring the creatures to this world all at once, but He made their exodus successive and sequential, and put rules and laws in place for this. He arranged it in a way that shows Godly Wisdom, Might and Compassion. This was to give a lesson and a sign to humanity, so that we might be guided to our Creator and know our Originator and Provider, if only we contemplate this a little.
The Verse “Nor (do I swear) by the begetter and what he begets:” indicates two aspects:
The word “begetter” refers to the parents through whom a child is born and brought into this existence.
The statement “and what he begets” implies the child and the stages of life and development through which it passes up till the time when it is born.
In fact, every living creature comes into existence by means of two begetters, a male and a female. I wonder:
Who made everything in pairs?
Who made one of them male and the other female, and planted sympathy, harmony, cordiality and attraction between them?
Who gave them instincts and qualities and put mercy, tenderness and affection in them, thereby making one of them a mother and the other a father, male and female?
That is just a little of what we understand by the statement: “Nor by the begetter”.
Now, in regard to the statement “and what he begets”, we inquire: who put the child in its father’s loins?
Who then carried it to its mother’s womb and set to watching over it and rearing it?
Who turned the semen into a clot of a blood, and then turned the clot into a lump of flesh?
Who fashioned the lump into bones and then clothed the bones with flesh?
Who created a stomach, liver, heart, and intestines for this new creature?
Who formed nerves, vessels, limbs, and proper systems for it?
Who composes the human of such faultless composition?
Can a drop of unworthy fluid or a minute germ change or develop by itself to become a complete human being? Must there not be a Provider that supplies it and keeps His Eyes on it?
Was it your father or your mother who created you? Must there not be a Great Creator Who created you and took care of you until you became as you are now?
And now, having attained full manhood or womanhood, is it fitting for you to turn from your Creator and forget His Charity towards you? Should you not ponder your origin, and think of where you were created from, when a period of time once passed when you were nothing worth mentioning?
Do you not remember the day when you were a powerless creature and an insignificant germ?
Should not you think of yourself when you were swimming inside a drop of semen with millions of millions of germs, invisible to the naked eye?
Will you recover your senses and remember the Potency which created you, and the Wise and Merciful Hand that looked after you and provided everything for you?
Should you not know that there is a Grand Creator, an Omnipotent Director and a Merciful Provider?
To remind us of the firm abode where we were brought up as semen, when there was nobody to protect us except our Creator, and none to supply us with what we needed except our Provider, the Almighty says:
Verse no. 4
4. “We have created the human in a womb.”
The word “womb” in this Verse is the place of assemblage. The “womb” is a proper medium containing all the conditions necessary for the life of the embryo.
In the womb, there is a suitable temperature for the baby’s life, and the blood brings it all the nourishment and essential gases that it needs.
In the womb, the embryo is carried on the placenta so that the blood will be prevented from entering its mouth. I wonder:
Who has found such conditions inside the womb, requisite for life, and made it into a safe lodging and a firm home for you, to serve until you become a complete human being of perfect creation?
Are you going to forget all of this Kindness and Godly Care after you have achieved your full growth, and become a person of power and prestige?
Do you think that there is no power in the entire world that is greater than yours?!!
God says:
Verse no. 5
5. “Does he think that none has power over him (to provide for him)?”
Indeed if anybody ponders their growth inside their mother’s belly and contemplates the days of their early childhood – if they think of this again and again, asking themselves about the Care which watched over them in the past and continues to watch until now – their spirit will bow in submission to its Provider and surrender to its Creator. This person will ascertain that if their Provider did not supply them with power and oblige them with blessings and prestige, they would be powerless, poor and insignificant. They are nothing without God, and there is no power or might except by Him.
However, humanity’s degeneration and decline from an elevated rank result from the neglect of contemplation of ourselves and the signs which God created in this universe, the preoccupation with food and drink, the absorption in worldly concerns, and the desire for material wealth.
People have become ungrateful disbelievers, not seeing the grace of the Donor and thinking that they have obtained and earned what they have through their own power, their own thinking, their own endeavor, and their own hard work.
Verse no. 6
6. “I have wasted great wealth’: he boasts.”
Here, to “waste” means to ‘spend’.
The phrase “great wealth” refers to large sums of accumulated money which have been stuck together.
That is what most people are like. They say, “I have wasted so much money on this building” or “I have bought this cloth for x pounds”, instead of saying, “Had Allah not obliged me with His favor, I would have remained hungry and penniless’ or ‘Had Allah not granted me the power to earn a living, I would have been homeless, living in the open with no home or lodgings.”
How far from God are those who do not respond to His Revelation!
How great is the ungratefulness for the Benefaction of He Who keeps supporting us with His Grace, and Who never forgets us!
To remind us of a bit of that Favor, the Almighty says:
Verse no. 7
7. “Does he think that none observes him!”
That is, do those who live in luxury think that they supply themselves with life? Do they earn what they earn by their own power and effort?!
Do they think that there is no one that attends them or continually provides them with strength and life?
The Almighty turned our eyes to the appendages and senses through which we are able to attain what we have.
God says:
Verse no. 8-9
8. “Have We not made two eyes for him,”
9. “A tongue and two lips,”
I really wonder: really wonder: how easy is it for a person to work or earn an income in the case that they have a severe disability? If they have no lips and no tongue, can they talk, or even utter a single word?!
We know that the different consonant sounds and the voice emanate through the joining of the two lips with the assistance of the tongue, and that is how the human is able to speak.
If it had not been granted such tools, the human species would have been like a speechless animal, yelping or mewing. However, the flexibility of the lips and their ability to contract and extend, as well as the various movements of the tongue to all sides (up and down, right and left): all of this help the human to talk and express the inclinations and thoughts that cross its mind. They are also useful in eating, chewing and swallowing food, so that we can enjoy good health and activity.
God then draws your attention to the nourishment that He supplies for you during early childhood, when you were suckling tasty milk from your mother’s breasts. He says:
Verse no. 10
10. “And granted him the two heights (two breasts)?”
The word “heights” refers to high places which save people and protect them from drowning in the floods that are caused by heavy rains and the inundation of low places.
The word “heights” also indicates the uplands.
However, according to the context of this Verse, this means the high part of the woman’s chest which helps the baby when it cries out for food. Thus this physical feature saves the infant from hunger and satisfies its needs.
The word “heights” as it is used here is meant to refer to the breast of the mother.
Out of God’s Favor for humanity, He created milk in the breasts of the mother for the sake of the infant, to fulfill its need for food and drink. He then taught this child how to access this food.
Having revealed some Verses which acquaint us with ourselves and show us the Charity of our Creator towards us, the Almighty wanted to clarify the way that leads to belief in order that we acquire humanist qualities. He says:
Verse no. 11
11. “So, would he not break into the obstacle.”
The Arabic word for “obstacle” is ‘aqabah’, which is a rough mountainous path that blocks a person’s way; however, if they pass it, they will attain ease and comfort.
“So, would he not” serves the purpose of urging and exhorting someone to perform a particular action.
The word “obstacle” here is meant to refer to the performance of a good deed, which is difficult for the spirit at first. For example, a human spirit naturally likes money and does not like it to be lost. However, when it sees that spending a sum of money will bring great benefit for it, spending money becomes easy, and the spirit does not delay in doing so.
Furthermore, the spirit favors rest over exerting effort or doing hard work. However, if it finds that tiring effort will be reciprocated with its own perpetual rest, it becomes willing to sacrifice its momentary ease for the lasting comfort it will later attain.
We can see from the above mentioned that the spirit considers all good actions difficult at first. However, the spirit can learn that all of God’s Commands result only from His Love for the human spirit and are designed to generate its own advantage. When the spirit performs these actions in compliance with these Commands, these deeds will result in good things and ease for the spirit, as they will be followed by everlasting comfort and happiness.
Therefore, the Almighty God, Who created you and let you dwell in this homeland (the universe), when you were nothing worth mentioning before this; this Merciful Provider, Who took care of you when you were an embryo inside your mother’s belly, and did not stop the flow of His Benevolence over you until you became a little child – nay, until you became a complete human being; I say, this kind Creator, Who made two eyes, a tongue, and two lips for you, and Who granted you the two heights: He advises you and admonishes you to perform good actions. He invites you to enter His Presence out of His love for you and His Sympathy for you. If you obey Him, you will join the people of happiness and will be together with the true, the martyrs, and those who became worthy of God’s Donation.
The doer of good and the doer of evil are not alike to Allah, for He is a Just Provider.
He rewards everybody according to the helpful acts they accomplish and according to what they deserve.
That is what we can understand from the Verse: “so, would he not break into the obstacle.”
To inform you of the importance of this obstacle, He says:
Verse no. 12
12. “What enables you to perceive what the obstacle is?”
Then He spoke about this obstacle in some detail, saying:
Verse no. 13
13. “It is Freeing of a neck,”
“Neck” here refers to humanity – or you can say it refers to every living creature.
“Freeing”: here, this word means saving or helping.
The “Freeing of a neck” means providing relief for any creature in trouble, and lending a helping hand to anyone that is suffering from some affliction or going through some kind of distress. This is because distress is like a rope that is wrapped around the neck of its owner, so that when you save them it will be as if you are freeing their neck from this rope, and relieving them from binds and restrictions.
For example, when you dispel somebody’s worry or meet their need, or when you free them from capture, or discharge them from debt or save them from drowning or quench their thirst: if you complete any of these actions, you will have broken the obstacle and freed a neck.
Thus the phrase “freeing of a neck” encompasses a wide range of actions. It covers every act of deliverance, help or chivalry, just as it covers every living being – even down to the level of a little cat, an insignificant ant or a withered plant. However, the noblest deed you can achieve is when you find a person that has shunned the path of belief and has fallen into errors which will drive them to misery and Fire, and when you make all efforts to save this person from their disbelief. If you are able to attract them to belief through kind treatment and reasonable guidance, and if you can help them to distinguish between their advantage and disadvantage so that they believe and find the way of happiness, then it will be as if you had freed their neck from wicked desires and the snares of Satan, as you will have allowed them to proceed freely in the way of belief.
In this case, you will also have freed their neck from another thing: the torment of Hell-Fire; you will have transported them to basking in the Gardens of felicity and Paradise.
Such a deed – if you are lucky to perform it – is regarded as one of the greatest deeds before God, and this is the task of the Prophets and Envoys.
Self-Activity:
- Memorize Fortress Al-Balad very well with your teacher in your school and cooperate with your friends and family at home trying to memorize it very well and to understand its great interpretation
Questions and Exercises:
1. The Almighty Says “I do not swear by this homeland,” What is the homeland and Why does not the Almighty God swear by it??
2. Why did not the Almighty God bring the creatures to this world all at once and what is the wisdom behind bringing them through successive generations (through marriage)?
3. What does this Verse indicate “We have created the human in a womb.”?
4. What are the things that absorb human thought causing him to shun God’s path, consequently they lead him to distress, degeneration and lowness?
5. The Almighty God Says “And granted him the two heights” What are these two heights which God offers human and guides him to?